Michelle Goldberg warns Trump's new Epstein ties probe could be a tactic to block the Epstein files

Allegations of Political Interference - The report suggests potential abuse of authority and corruption within the Justice Department, alleging it's being used for partisan political purposes to shield the president from scrutiny [3] - Concerns are raised about the president directing the Attorney General to investigate political opponents, potentially compromising the Justice Department's integrity [23][24] - The report highlights a perceived lack of separation between the executive branch and the Justice Department, questioning the independence of the Attorney General [26] Epstein Investigation and Related Concerns - The report discusses the reopening of the Epstein investigation and its potential connection to upcoming votes on releasing related files [6] - Questions are raised about the timing of the investigation and whether it's a deflection tactic from other political scandals [3][4] - The report mentions conflicting information regarding the Justice Department's requests for emails from the Epstein estate [8][9] - The report references emails suggesting Trump's association with Epstein, including claims about spending Thanksgiving together [11] Transparency and National Security - The report raises questions about national security and transparency in relation to the Epstein files and potential leverage over the president [22][23] - Concerns are expressed about the release of emails without proper context and the reliability of information from Jeffrey Epstein [13] Trump's Response and Potential Legal Implications - The report analyzes Trump's public statements regarding the Epstein matter and suggests he may be acting as if he has something to hide [14] - Legal experts suggest Trump's continued public comments could potentially complicate his legal position [32]